Manchester City are working on a deal to bring Ilkay Gundogan back to the Etihad from Barcelona with the German ready to return to the Premier League after just one season in Spain.
Ilkay Gundogan to Make Fairytale Return to Manchester City
Concrete Discussions Taking Place
Fabrizio Romano reported earlier this afternoon (August 20) that talks were underway between Gundogan and City, with the first contacts initiated yesterday, while his latest update in the past hour confirms that Barcelona are “100%” happy to let the 33-year-old midfielder leave the Nou Camp for free, with Gundogan’s “green light” for the move all that is needed. Pep Guardiola has already “approved” to reunite with his ex-player.
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Pep Guardiola and Gundogan to Revive Their Fantastic Relationship
Gundogan was Guardiola’s first signing at Manchester City back in June 2016 and, during their maiden seven-year stint together, the midfielder featured 188 times in the league, establishing himself as one of the most crucial cogs in Guardiola’s system.
His most iconic moment in a City shirt arguably came back in 2021/22 when on the last day of the season, the Sky Blues found themselves 2-0 down to Aston Villa, where a loss would have seen them concede the league title to Liverpool.
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Gundogan was introduced as a sub on 68 minutes and from that moment, everything changed. Eight minutes later, he headed in a Raheem Sterling cross, and then on 81 minutes with the score 2-2 following a Rodri equaliser, he fired in the winning goal from a Kevin De Bruyne pass to secure the title by a point ahead of Jurgen Klopp’s side, sparking wild celebrations.
With many tipping Arsenal to be closer to winning the league this season than they’ve ever been, perhaps the signing of Gundogan might just strike some fear in Gunners’ fans as they get given a harsh reminder of the experience he has in winning crucial games when it matters most. With City going for an unprecedented five titles in a row, the Barcelona “star” could be the perfect signing to make that happen.
